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Sports

5 Vikings Theories That Aged Poorly as of Late

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Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman participates in drills during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman participates in drills during the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 27, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Thieneman showcased his athleticism, movement skills, and coverage ability in front of NFL scouts and evaluators as teams gathered information ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft and the pre-draft selection process. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Heading into every offseason, Minnesota Vikings fans and various media members manufacture some theories that come true — and some that don’t quite pan out. The following chronicles the takes that seemed likely at the time but later felt flat.

For example, during the 2025 offseason, many believe that Minnesota would sign Aaron Rodgers. That didn’t happen. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here’s the 2026 edition of poorly-aged Vikings theories.

Vikings Rumor Mill Missed on Several Big Names

Dan Lanning talks with Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman during an Orange Bowl practice. Vikings theories
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning speaks with defensive back Dillon Thieneman during an open practice session before the Orange Bowl. Thieneman entered the season as one of college football’s most recognizable defensive backs after transferring from Purdue and immediately drew attention within Oregon’s revamped secondary. Dec. 27, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Ben Lonergan-Imagn Images.

1. Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman Was the Obvious Round 1 Draft Choice

For about four to six weeks, every NFL mock draft — like every single one — linked Thieneman to the Vikings. It was almost a variation of The Mandela Effect.

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Despite no Vikings insiders validating the connection, the theory continued all the way up to draft night on April 23rd. With Thieneman indeed on the board, surely Minnesota would select Thieneman and call it good, right? They just had to fulfill the prophecy, correct? Absolutely not. The Vikings picked defensive tackle Caleb Banks, making the long run of Thiemenan-to-Minnesota theories look silly.

Meanwhile, Thieneman, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears, evidently did not run with the first team at OTAs this week. Bear Goggles On‘s Anthony Miller observed, “It’s very early on in the process to prepare for 2026, and there has to be some kind of method to the madness, but it’s interesting to say the least that.”

“Thieneman is not with the starters. Johnson’s decision might come as the team tries to avoid rushing him into the lineup and to let him learn before being thrown into the starting lineup.”

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2. The Vikings Would Draft a Notable RB, WR, and C

Some thought Minnesota would draft a running back like Jonah Coleman or Emmett Johnson before the draft’s late rounds. The Vikings also hosted a litany of prominent mid-round wide receivers before the draft. And at center, Blake Brandel was the only decent option, a guy who started his career as a tackle and later switched to guard.

Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski then selected no players at these positions until Round 6.

Instead, the Vikings will roll with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason at running back, Jauan Jennings at WR3, and the aforementioned Brandel at center. Fans will hope that Round 6 runner Demond Claiborne is a draft steal.

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3. J.J. McCarthy Would Be Tradebait Because of Kyler Murray’s Arrival

Soon after the Vikings signed Murray in March, the world decided that McCarthy may not be able to coexist with Murray. Some claimed he’d request a trade; some said he was gone via trade during the draft.

None of that happened, and McCarthy is currently locked in a quarterback competition with Murray — just like the Vikings advertised in March.

If McCarthy is traded, it will probably be because he soured on the franchise and wanted a fresh start. That has not happened yet. NFL insider Jason La Canfora wrote this week, “Minnesota would likely not fetch much for McCarthy under these circumstances, and it might require an injury elsewhere to create more demand. If O’Connell couldn’t get much from him and opted to sell low on him, that would resonate around the league.”

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“But it also stands to reason that obvious friction between a new QB you need to win with now, and one who has to quickly come to grips with watching games and not playing them so soon after being drafted that high, is far from ideal.”

4. Aaron Jones and T.J. Hockenson Would Be Cut

When the offseason arrived, many assumed that Minnesota would cut Jones and Hockenson because of their hefty 2026 price tags. It would then have March and April to use free agency and the draft as a blank canvas for new playmakers.

Aaron Jones runs with the football against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Vikings theories
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones carries the football against the Green Bay Packers during an NFC North showdown at Lambeau Field. Jones delivered several productive performances in his first season with Minnesota after spending years as a key offensive contributor for Green Bay. Sept. 29, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.

Yet, the Vikings proposed paycuts for both, and the pair accepted. Jones and Hockenson took lesser salaries in 2026 and are now slated to be unrestricted free agents in 2027.

The takes about Jones and Hockenson release indeed made sense, but they didn’t play out.

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5. Jonathan Greenard Would Be a Longtime Viking

Danielle Hunter left the Vikings during the 2024 offseason, choosing his hometown team, the Houston Texans, for his career’s second chapter. Minnesota turned around and signed the Texans’ main pass rusher — Greenard — to replace him.

It lasted two years.

Six weeks after signing Greenard, former Vikings boss Kwesi Adofo-Mensah finagled an expensive trade for Dallas Turner during the draft. That was apparently a pick to make Greenard’s stay short in Minnesota because the Vikings traded Greenard during the 2026 NFL Draft.

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Jonathan Greenard poses during NFC practice at the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando. Vikings theories
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard poses during NFC practice ahead of the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando. Greenard quickly became one of the Vikings’ most important defensive playmakers after joining the franchise, helping lead Brian Flores’ defense with steady pressure and impact production. Feb. 1, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Most playoff-contending football teams don’t trade their best EDGE defender, but Minnesota did precisely that. In fact, when the Greenard trade rumors took hold in March, it just didn’t seem real that the Vikings would trade him.

But they did.


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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

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Sports

Former Champion spotted for the first time since injury at WWE Clash in Italy 2026

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There was one particular name who was constantly in doubt for WWE Clash in Italy 2026 despite being officially booked on the card. The former Champion was spotted in the opening of the PLE, being spotted for the first time since the injury.

That name is the former NXT North American Women’s Champion and ex-Speed Champion Sol Ruca. The 26-year-old star was in doubt for WWE Clash in Italy 2026. She faced Becky Lynch in a non-title match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. However, the match controversially ended in a few minutes after Becky Lynch stopped the Sol Snatcher by shoving Ruca’s legs into referee Jessika Carr (with whom she has had long-standing issues). Almost immediately after that, in a backstage segment, Nick Aldis announced on RAW General Manager Adam Pearce’s behalf, telling Becky Lynch that she would be defending the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at Clash in Italy a week later.

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WWE usually starts its shows with the big superstars arriving at the arena. During the opening moments of Clash in Italy 2026, Sol Ruca was finally spotted, putting to rest any rumors about the injury keeping her out. She addressed this on the pre-show by revealing that she was medically cleared. It doesn’t necessarily mean that she isn’t dealing with a nagging injury, as wrestlers competing through injuries have and still remain commonplace.

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Either way, it was good to see Sol Ruca appearing healthy upon her arrival at the stadium in Turin. Ironically, her DQ win over Becky Lynch marked her first victory on the main roster. She notably faced Iyo Sky before this and fell short in an incredible match.

Ruca, despite only having a few years in the wrestling business, has surpassed several early expectations, becoming one of the most prominent stars in a stacked NXT roster that included names like Oba Femi, Je’Von Evans, and the entire Women’s division, which was arguably the best in all of wrestling during Ruca’s stint on the developmental brand.